The scientific priorities of the Department reflect the key themes of ongoing research as well as the most significant research and educational-applied projects conducted under the leadership or with the participation of members of the academic staff within the sector, the department, and other research units of the University.
The Clinical Laboratory Department pursues several core scientific directions, some of which are directly related to socially significant diseases, including cardiovascular risk, type 2 diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, and procoagulant conditions, as well as the rapidly evolving field of point-of-care testing (POCT).
Other research directions focus on the development of novel approaches to evaluating the quality of clinical laboratory results, particularly through the organization and implementation of participation in external quality assessment schemes, guided by innovative, evidence-based concepts. These also encompass the integration of new, highly specialized biomarkers into clinical practice, accompanied by assessments of their cost-effectiveness.
A third line of research seeks to refine and expand laboratory constellations for the diagnosis, assessment, and prognosis of diseases affecting the cardiovascular system, kidneys, urinary tract, pre- and post-transplantation states, endocrine disorders, as well as pediatric laboratory parameters—specifically, establishing reference ranges and identifying deviations. Additionally, this direction includes laboratory indicators for the diagnosis and management of bone-related diseases.
The most significant research priorities include:
- Clinical laboratory markers for the assessment of cardiovascular risk.
- Clinical laboratory markers for the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.
- Development of methods for monitoring immunosuppressive therapy.
- Implementation of point-of-care testing (POCT) in cardiovascular surgery.
- Investigation of the application of POCT in outpatient care and general medical practice.
- Integration of European Union guidelines into laboratory practice.
- Updating laboratory algorithms for the diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring, and prognosis of diseases of the renal and urinary systems.
- Quality management in clinical laboratory medicine.
- Development and implementation of methods in the areas of coagulation, fibrinolysis, and platelet aggregation for the detection of diseases and procoagulant states, as well as for monitoring direct and indirect anticoagulant therapy, fibrinolytic treatment, and antiplatelet therapy.
- Development and clinical implementation of laboratory markers for the assessment of connective tissue and bone metabolism.
- Evaluation of the diagnostic significance of tumor marker testing during treatment and follow-up of oncology patients, with a focus on predicting metastatic potential.
- Studies on metabolism, standardization of methodologies, definition of reference intervals, and the impact of vitamin D replacement therapy.
- Assessment of the dynamics of advanced laboratory biomarkers in the course of various diseases.
- Monitoring of biomarkers indicative of free radical-induced damage.
The academic and research team of the Department of Clinical Laboratory has authored over 120 publications in journals and conference proceedings and has participated in more than 80 national and international congresses and scientific conferences.
At present, the scientific activities are consolidated and form the basis of doctoral research pursued by teaching assistants and doctoral candidates within the Department of Clinical Laboratory, as well as supporting the development of dissertation topics by doctoral students from other academic and research units of the Medical University of Varna.
Currently, the Department of Clinical Laboratory comprises three Assistant Professors who have successfully defended their doctoral dissertations, alongside three actively enrolled PhD students.
In addition, the Department is engaged in multiple research initiatives at both institutional and national levels and participates in clinical trials, thereby reinforcing its commitment to scientific advancement
